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Film & History 2013 Conference
Making Movie$: The Figure of Money On and Off the Screen

Race-ing The Movie Industry

Deadline for Abstracts: July 1, 2013

Money and race infuse nearly every aspect of the movie industry – whether overtly or hidden. Early producers were sons of immigrants, and yet the American dream they portrayed was often an idealized middle-class white version. The movie industry historically assumed a largely white audience, and assessments of financial risk and benefit reflected this.

“Race films” were produced for black audiences and actors categorically excluded from mainstream production throughout the first half of the twentieth century and blaxploitation films burned up the screen in the 1970s, but it is now widely assumed that the film industry is one of full racial diversity. Or is it? Do African-Americans, Asians, Native Americans and others appear on screen in roles equal in prominence and depth to those played by white actors? Do audiences of various races see their lifestyles, values, and histories fully reflected in films? Do production personnel of all races have equal access to resources, jobs, and advancement in the industry?

This area, which will be composed of multiple panels, welcomes papers from a broad range of perspectives. The focus can be on particular movies, producers, or actors, or on audiences and how they are courted in order to make a profit while including race. Papers might also assess costs, risks, or benefits of challenging ideas of race.

How stories were adjusted in order to attract (or not lose) funding or audiences

Funding independent productions which challenged notions of race

How a particular movie with a racial component was funded, marketed, or dealt with censorship

Funding films to create a racialized cultural memory

Foundations and funding for movies on race

Funding educational films about race

Civil rights organizations and the film industry: costs, benefits, and risks

The economic politics of race portrayals.

Proposals for complete panels (three related presentations) are also welcome, but they must include an abstract and contact information, including an e-mail address, for each presenter. For updates and registration information about the upcoming meeting, see the Film & History website (www.filmandhistory.org).